Friday, September 26, 2008

A ridiculously good week for music.18 reviews – 6 here and 12 more in the blog.

! TV On The Radio – Dear Science (rock)

Dense, exquisitely produced rock, with soul elements.I've heard critics recently compare TV on the Radio to a dozen different bands, and they're all wrong.This is one of few groups that deserve the "original" moniker.Fuzzed electronics, several different vocal styles, stray saxophones.This is one of those albums that words don’t do justice to, so do yourself a favor and go listen to it.

Two saxophonists, one Indian-American adding new wrinkles to the jazz tradition, the other reinterpreting South Indian classical music through his horn.They come together on the common ground of improvisation, and the results are ear-opening.The musical back-and-forth between these masters is dizzying, gorgeous stuff.

The premiere recording of a new opera by one of America's most lauded living composers.Inspired by Mozart's The Magic Flute and an Indian folk tale, the sound is identifiably Adams', with a rhythmic intensity underlying expressive, angular vocal lines.For opera neophytes, this one's approachable – a captivating story and lyrics in English.

Sullivan’s vocal virtuosity shines over a soul backdrop that’s something old and something new.She’s equally at home singing about heartbreak over strings, reggae, and breakbeats.Jazmine taps a deep musical vein of inspiration and emotion.

OCMS is a strung-out string band that valorizes the seedier side of Americana.Thick harmonies supported by banjo and harmonica evoke the sound of the Grateful Dead's American Beauty, while the songwriting is more varied and complex than their ealier albums.

Carter Family-style country harmony is a serious change of pace for jazz bass virtuoso Charlie Haden, but his family has the vocal chops to pull it off.Assists by the likes of Dan Tyminski, Rosanne Cash, and Ricky Skaggs certainly help them to pull of faithful versions of old chestnuts like “Wildwood Flower.”

Duets between the piano giant some of the best guitarists alive, plus Bela Fleck for a couple of banjo tracks.The most I could hear of this were sound samples at the CD baby website, so I can only imagine how awesome this is.If anyone manages to get their hands on this, send me a review and I’ll post it.

A ridiculously good week for music. 18 reviews – 6 here and 12 more in the blog.

! TV On The Radio – Dear Science (rock)

Dense, exquisitely produced rock, with soul elements. I've heard critics recently compare TV on the Radio to a dozen different bands, and they're all wrong. This is one of few groups that deserve the "original" moniker. Fuzzed electronics, several different vocal styles, stray saxophones. This is one of those albums that words don’t do justice to, so do yourself a favor and go listen to it.

Listen to TV On The Radio “Golden Age”

! Rudresh Mahanthappa – Kinsmen (jazz)

Two saxophonists, one Indian-American adding new wrinkles to the jazz tradition, the other reinterpreting South Indian classical music through his horn. They come together on the common ground of improvisation, and the results are ear-opening. The musical back-and-forth between these masters is dizzying, gorgeous stuff.

Listen to Rudresh Mahanthappa “Congergence (Kinsmen)”

! John Adams – A Flowering Tree (classical)

The premiere recording of a new opera by one of America's most lauded living composers. Inspired by Mozart's The Magic Flute and an Indian folk tale, the sound is identifiably Adams', with a rhythmic intensity underlying expressive, angular vocal lines. For opera neophytes, this one's approachable – a captivating story and lyrics in English.

Listen to John Adams’ “A Flowering Tree: Act 1 – Kumudha’s Prayer”

! Beto Villares – Beto Villares (world)

A brilliantly fresh take on Bossa Nova. Lush harmonies and easygoing tunes backed with acoustic guitar, and some electrified elements. This vibe of Villares’ music is all joy.

Listen to Beto Villares “Aboio”

* Thievery Corporation – Radio Retalliation (electronic)

A global gumbo set to dance and dub beats. Thievery Corporation takes Indian, Jamaican, Nigerian, and other transnational sounds, artfully remixing them for the benefit of the dance floor.

Listen to Thievery Corporation “Mandala”

* Jazmine Sullivan – Fearless (R&B)

Sullivan’s vocal virtuosity shines over a soul backdrop that’s something old and something new. She’s equally at home singing about heartbreak over strings, reggae, and breakbeats. Jazmine taps a deep musical vein of inspiration and emotion.

Listen to Jazmine Sullivan’s “Need U Bad”

In the blog: Blitzen Trapper, Old Crow Medicine Show, Soul Stirrers, and much much more!

* highly recommended! highest recommendationCheck out the blog at http://casuallistening.blogspot.com . To subscribe or unsubscribe, or just to say hi, send an e-mail to jeffpinzino@gmail.com.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Well, you're not likely to see the new AC/DC album reviewed here, not because the band is lacking musically, but rather because they're lacking distribution outside of Wal-Mart. Still, there are ways to get your fix, and judging by this new video, AC/DC can still deliver the goods.

Eastern European Jewish folk music is the inspiration for this film soundtrack, based on the life of the writer whose stories became Fiddler on the Roof.Zorn’s pieces carry forward the cultural resonance of that musical, with more artistry and less “Tradition.”A five-piece ensemble features intriguing interplay of harp and accordion.

Tejas Brothers serve up the most compelling Tex-Mex fusion since Los Lobos, with killer vocals to boot.With ranchera-style button accordion, pedal steel guitar, and lyrics in English, this is the missing link that shows these two musical forms as closer cousins than we tend to think.File under Country & Southwestern

Alternative country’s rising star enlists her husband to deliver pitch-perfect folk harmonies.Thanks to Jesse Kornbluth at Head Butler for tipping me off to this release – his write-up says it better than I can: here.

You gotta hand it to these guys for still cranking out solid, aggressive rock & roll.I don’t know if “enjoyable” is an appropriate word here, but there is something satisfying about giving release to all of that anger.

Friday, September 12, 2008

It's remarkable that all the top picks this week come from women, or in the case of Horse Feathers, a band that includes women.Even more remarkable is all the notable ones that didn't make the list.A quick roundup:

Joan Baez – Day After Tomorrow (folk)Despite the fact that her voice makes anything sound good, her sound continues to be pitched to an aging demographic.What Joan needs is a Rick Rubin/Johnny Cash-style makeover, or an album of duets with Ani DiFranco.

Dar Williams – Promised Land (folk) At the Otis Elevator Factory, baby elevators are lining up to be the first to play this album while making long, placid trips from floor to floor.

---

Girl Talk – Feed The Animals(dance) I'm the last critic to review this one, but it's worth the pay-what-you-want fee to get it.With over 900 samples of recognizable songs, it's like a giant game of "Where's Waldo"

I Am Three (rock)The self-described "acoustic power duo" puts out a compelling mix of jazz and rap anchored in a folk-rock sound.Strong vocals make compelling listening for an unconventional but effective fusion.Self-released on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/jesuistrois

One of country's strongest voices wails through a set of tearjerkers.She nods to the tradition without being rigidly traditional – her cover of Hank Williams' "Cold Cold Heart" takes its own time, while "Pain of Loving You" has an echo of the Carter Family.

One of the hippest-sounding singers around, she's got an effervescent voice that pairs well with the retro-euro-pop settings and quiet guitar on this album.She's my choice to do the title track of the next James Bond movie.

I think the more appropriate name for this genre is "childish."A potty-humor hootenanty from the woman who brought you the "Juno" soundtrack.I'm hiding this one from my son until he's eight, and I look forward to laughing uncontrollably with him when the day comes.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Sherman, set the Way Back Machine to 1986, to the endless party that was the golden age of hip-hop.The High Decibels recapture the fat beats, scratch DJ fills, and stay-out-all-night lyrics of the era.Guitar riffs throughout connect the duo to even older rivers of blues.

Achingly beautiful string band balladry.Thick country-gospel harmonies overlay clawhammer banjo, fiddle, and mandolin.These musicians represent the new generation of folk in the best of the American tradition, sans prefixes like “freak” or “anti.”

A tremendous variety of instrumental pieces named for the array of instruments that play them – “Two Organs and Dumbek,”“Percussion and Voice,” and “Berimbau.” The textural diversity sells this one, while harmonically it reaches from relaxing to agitated.A thoughtful piece of work.